40 Under 40 — Terry Goodnight

Note: This content was originally published in print in 2002. It appears on the web for the first time today, leading up to the 2013 40 Under 40 awards.

Deena Bailey considers Wichita best place to make a difference

By JERRY SIEBENMARK

When Terry Goodnight started her college education at Purdue (Ind.) University, she intended to be a physician.

But a year into her studies she learned two things:

One was that it would take a long time to begin practicing medicine.

The other was that there was a degree program in industrial supervision that she learned about from her sister, who was taking a course in that program at Purdue.

“I went like a week later and registered for the program,” says Goodnight, 38.

Since 1985, Goodnight has worked in various human resource positions for well-known companies like General Motors and Cessna Aircraft Co.

She says there are similarities between what she does now as vice president of human resources at Raytheon Aircraft Co. and a physician.

“I’ve always wanted to be in a position to resolve issues and help people out,” says Goodnight, who returned to Wichita as a Raytheon executive last October.

Automobiles to airplanes

Goodnight’s first job out of college was at GM, a job she got after serving a college internship with the giant automobile manufacturer. In her time at GM, Goodnight says she was exposed to all facets of how a manufacturing company works. She also took part in the opening of a GM assembly facility and the temporary closing of a plant that was retooling to manufacture a new automobile. Other positions at GM included an analyst’s job at the GM treasurer’s office in New York and labor relations.

“I was very fortunate to gain lots of experience at GM in a relatively short period of time,” she says.

It was at GM that Goodnight met her mentor, Herb Stone. Stone, a plant manager, taught her many things about leadership that she says she still uses today.

One of Stone’s tenets of good leadership was having a vision of what you want to accomplish and being able to communicate that clearly to employees.

“That’s when you get everybody on board and start seeing results,” says Goodnight, who with her husband, Alan, is expecting her first child in November.

Goodnight, a native of Lafayette, Ind., came to Raytheon last year after working as director of recruiting for TMP Worldwide in Dallas. Prior to joining Raytheon she was director of human resources at Cessna for 1 1/2 years.

Vice president - human resources, Raytheon Aircraft Co.
DOB: Oct. 22, 1963.
Education: Bachelor’s in industrial supervision, Purdue University; MBA, University of Virginia Darden Graduate School; Executive development program graduate, London Business School.
Spouse: Alan Goodnight.
Children: Expecting first child in November.
Hobbies: Running, biking, swimming, weightlifting, golf, reading, music.
Last book read: “From Worst to First,” by Gordon Bethune.
Favorite book: Too many to list!
Last movie seen: ”A Beautiful Mind.”
Favorite Web site: Right now… fitpregnancy.com!
Favorite business lunch spot: Yia Yia’s.
Mentor: Herb Stone. Herb is a wise leader who works hard and loves to have fun. He trusted me to do my job and was always available to give advice and get me out of trouble!
Best business advice: Don’t take on all the world’s problems. Know your limitations. Provide clear goals. Trust your team; allow them to provide guidance, expertise and action. Continuously listen and learn. Do what’s right. Make decisions and know that you can never please everybody! Never lie.
Favorite quote: “I’m here to live out loud.” — Emile Zola.